By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The Department of State Service (DSS), said on Thursday, that a joint security team comprising the DSS, Nigerian Army and Police, carried out operations in Nasarawa and Kogi States.
The Security Service also stated that on Monday, June 19, 2023, the patrol team apprehended one Abubakar Muhammad (aka Abu Direba), a suspected gunrunner, along the Abuja- Keffi Expressway in Keffi LGA of Nasarawa State.
During the operation, the DSS said the team seized the following insidious items:
a. Four Hundred and Eighty-Six (486) rounds of 7.62 x39mm calibre ammunition.
b. Twenty-Two (22) primed IEDs
c. The sum of Thirty-One Thousand, Five Hundred naira (N31,500) and
d. One (1) Volkswagen Golf vehicle with registration number- RBC202XA.
The disclosures which was made on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 by the DSS Spokesman, Dr Peter Afunnanya, said in another joint operation in the early hours of today (Thursday, 22nd June, 2023), a team raided the hideout of Kabir Bala (aka Okwo), a one time jail breaker and notorious gang leader in Ejule, Ofu LGA of Kogi State.
Okwo and his gang members, Dr Afunnanya further disclosed, engaged the troops in a gun duel during which he was neutralised. He said others, however, fled the area. Items allegedly recovered at the scene were one AK47 rifle with three (3) fully loaded magazines, six (6) locally fabricated weapons, two (2) phones and charms.
Following these developments, the DSS therefore calls for vigilance especially as Eid-el-Kabir celebrations approaches, more so as reports had indicated of plans to attack worship and recreational centres before and during the festivities. This, the DSS Spokesman said, is evident in the recovery of primed IEDs among the suspected terrorists.
The DSS however advised operators and patrons of public places including markets, malls, etc, to be watchful and report any suspicious movements and persons to the relevant security agencies.
"Accordingly, the Service will continue to partner with sister agencies for necessary pro-active drills to frustrate criminals and their activities", Afunnanya stated in the public statement. NNL.
